An integrative model for interpersonal trust in the public sector

This chapter introduces a model of interpersonal trust dynamics, grounded in a case study of an interorganizational collaboration project in New York State. Qualitative data describing the collaborations and interactions among individuals in these organizations provides an opportunity for theory development about the dynamic interactions between trust and knowledge in the development of a prototype for a new management information system. System dynamics is the dynamic simulation method selected in this research, since it is well suited to both quantitative and qualitative-based research. The model presented in the chapter integrates concepts from economic models, as well as psychological and sociological theories about trust, learning, and perceptual processes in interpersonal relations. The simulation experiments conducted with the model show plausible trust behaviors as described both in the literature an in the case data.